Blackhawks News

NEW YORK – Forwards Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings, Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks and Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks are the three finalists for the 2013-14 Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award presented by Bridgestone, awarded "to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season," the National Hockey League announced today.

Mark Messier solicits suggestions from club and League personnel as well as NHL fans to compile a list of potential candidates. However, the selection of the three finalists and ultimate winner is Messier's alone. The winner will be announced Tuesday, June 24, during the 2014 NHL Awards from Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. The 2014 NHL Awards will be broadcast by NBCSN in the United States and CBC in Canada.

Following are the finalists for the 2013-14 Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award presented by Bridgestone, in alphabetical order:

Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings

Brown has spent his entire 10-year NHL career with the Kings, serving as their captain for the past six campaigns. Known for his physical style of play, he donates $50 per hit to a different charity each season. In 2012-13 and 2013-14, Brown selected Children's Hospital Los Angeles' Newborn and Infant Critical Care Unit. Prior to that, he and his wife partnered with the nonprofit KaBOOM! to raise $70,000 and build a new playground in Carson, Calif., that now hosts more than 100 kids per day. The 29-year-old Ithaca, N.Y., native is a finalist for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award for the third time, having also been nominated the past two seasons.

Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks

Getzlaf enjoyed a banner year in 2013-14, scoring a career-high 31 goals and ranking second in the NHL with 87 points to lead the Ducks to their best season in franchise history. Anaheim's captain since 2010-11, he also has taken leadership role off the ice, highlighted by the annual Getzlaf Golf Shootout. The third such event, hosted in September, raised more than $300,000 for CureDuchenne, a nonprofit that raises awareness and funds research for those suffering from the progressive muscle-wasting disease, which impacts one in every 3,500 boys. The 28-year-old Regina, Sask., native is a finalist for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award for the first time.

Toews has served as the captain of the Blackhawks since 2008-09, when he was just 20-years-old. While his leadership on the ice is undisputed, his work with various children's charitable causes also makes him a role model in the community. Among those efforts, Toews volunteers to grant wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, including a special skating session with 4-year-old Nicholas Skretkowski prior to the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series at Soldier Field. The 25-year-old Winnipeg native is a finalist for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award for the second time after finishing as a runner-up in 2012-13.

History

Presented by Bridgestone in honor of one of hockey's great leaders, this award was first handed out in 2007.

IMG Productions, a division of the global sports, entertainment and media company, IMG Worldwide, will produce the 2014 NHL Awards, under the helm of executive producer Steve Mayer.

A full lineup of presenters and entertainment, as well as information on official 2014 NHL Awards travel packages, will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can enter for a chance to win a trip to the 2014 NHL Awards. Full details are available at www.NHL.com/Vegas. Tweet about the event using the official hashtag #NHLAwards.